Display device



Jan. 23, 1945. M. J. VIGLIETTA DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Feb 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 '1. IIIIIL- I IIIIIIIII/ VIIII'IIQIIIIIII"IIIllIIIlIIIII-II'II'III 8 IN VEN TOR.

M guel 1 @lzefia ATTORNEY Jan. 23, 1945. M. J. VIGLIETTA DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Feb. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. v

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HTTOIENEY Patented Jan. 23, 1945 DISPLAY DEVICE Michael J. Viglietta, Elmhurst, Long Island, N. Y., assignor to Royal Mounters, Long Island City, N. Y., a partnership composed of Charles Bashwiner and William Mayers Application February 10, 1942, Serial No. 430,218

Claims.

The present invention relates to a collapsible display device adapted to simulate a framed picture.

Numerous attempts have been made to provide a commercially feasible display device of the picture frame type which could be readily and easily collapsed or folded to minimum thickness for storage or shipping and which could be readily and easily erected to display position with a minimum amount of skill or instruction on the part of a user. Users of such display devices are generally clerks in drug stores, grocery stores; or the like who are not familiar with the principles of construction of display devices, hence the devices should be easy and simple to set up and takedown. Previous devices of the picture frame type have een objectionable for various reasons, for example, ome of them required an excessive amount of material for their manufacture, others were not collapsible without being dismantled or taken apart, others required staples, clips or the like to maintain them in display position, and still others required an objectionable amount of folding or interfitting of parts in order to maintain them in display position.

The present invention aims to overcome the above and other objections or disadvantages by providing a new and improved display device of the picture frame type which may be readily and easily erected or collapsed with a minimum amount of skill and instruction on the part of a user; the present device may be collapsed to a minimum thickness without dismantling. The in vention further contemplates the provision of a display device which may be cut and scored from, I

a single piece of material, or from several pieces of material if desired, and quickly bent and assembled to form the display device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved display device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved display device of the picture frame type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved display device which is made from a single piece of material.

Still another object of the invention is to pro vide a display device which may be easily and quickly erected without the use of staples, clips or the like.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred. to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

.A preferred embodiment "of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration anddescription and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a back view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment in display position;

Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating the device of Fig. 3 in partially folded or collapsed position;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the device of Fig. 3 in fully collapsed position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view illustrating one corner of a blank from which the device may be formed;

Fig. '7 i a front view of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view from the rear of the device shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a front view of another modified form of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken illl0ofFig.9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front view of an attachment which may be used with the present display device, and

along the line Fig. 12 is a fragmentary top view of the device" illustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring again to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 thereof, there is shown a display device I comprising a center portion or panel 2 adapted to have a suitable design printed or lithographed directly thereon or to have a plurality of interchangeable suitably printed or lithographed cardboard or paper sheets placed in front thereof. A frame or marginal portion, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4, preferably extends entirely around the center panel 2, and it also is adapted to be provided'in any suitable manner with a desired design. For example, it may be lithographed or printed to simulate a wooden frame extending around the center panel 2. The frame 4 preferably includes side portions 5 and l and top and bottom portions 8 and ID, the overlapping ends 3 and B of the frame portions being secured together by gluing, stapling or otherwise to form a substantially rigid frame 4. The edges of the panel 2 and the inner edges of the frame 4 are joined together by hinge or connecting portions, indicated generally by the reference numeral I I. The panel 2, frame portion 4 and connecting portions II are preferably integrally formed from a single sheet of material. Any suitable type of supporting easel 13 or hanger 14 may be attached to the rear of the panel 2 for the purpose of maintaining the device in display position.

The hinge or connecting portions 1 1 preferably comprise side portions [6 and I1 joining the sides of the frame with the sides of the panel and transverse or top and bottom portions [9 and 28 connecting the top and bottom of the frame with the top and bottom of the panel. The frame 4 and connecting portions II are preferably joined at weakened portions provided by score lines 22 and the connecting portions ll and panel 2 are preferably joined at weakened portions provided by score lines 23. Also, the: connecting portions IS, IT, with longitudinally extending score lines I6a, Ha, Na and 20a, respectively, adjacent the middle thereof. The weakened portions provided by these several score or fold lines facilitate manufacture and erection or collapsing of a display device. The score. lines 22 at the junction of the frame and the hinge or. connecting portion and also the score lines 16a, Ha, [9a and 20a on the hinge or connecting portions are preferably cut into the front side of the sheet from which the device is formed. The score lines 23 at the junction of the hinge or connecting portions with the panel are preferably cut into the rear of the same sheet. This facilitates bending or folding of the partsof the device into position. Once the parts of a display device have been bent and formed into shape, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the score or fold: lines I611, Ila, [9a and 20a on the connecting portions and the natural resilience of the material tend tocause the corresponding connecting portions IS, l1, l9 and 20 to project inwardly, forming a substantially V- shape in section.

The legs forming" the V-shaped hinges may be of any suitable width to vary the distanc'e that the connecting portions project inwardly over the panel 2. That is, if the widths of the adjoining, legs of the connecting portions are relatively great, the connecting portions will project inwardly a relatively great distance over the panel 2 and the angle which the legs make with the panel 2 and frame 4 will be relatively small. If the widths of the adjoining legs are relatively small, the connecting portions will project inwardly a relatively'slight' distance over the panel 2 and the angle. which these legs make with the panel 2 and frame i will bev relatively great. In this way, the aesthetic effect created by the corn necting portions ll may be readily varied during manufacture of the devices. By providing a plurality of longitudinally extending score lines on each of the hinge portions 16, l1, l9 and 20, instead of the single score-lines Ha, Ha, I9a and 2911, the hinge portions may be caused to assume a curved or semi-circular shape when the device is set up in display position. Also, it is not necessary that the legs or sides of the connecting portion H be of equal width; one side may be of greater width than. the other and this feature will be hereinafter described in connection with Figs. 9 and 10. The score lines which extend along the hinge or connecting portions I I also facilitate inward movement of the connecting portions and folding of the frame substanti-ally'against the panel, as will be hereinafter described.

One pair of the connecting portions, shown in i9 and 20 are each preferably provided- Figs. 1-5 as the transversely extending portions l9 and 20, may be of shorter length than the other pair of side portions [6 and I1 so that their ends provide stops or abutments 26 (Fig. 3) which normally limit inward movement of the connecting portions [6 and I! when the device is set up, as shown in Fig. l. The transverse portions I9 and.20 may have tabs 25 at their ends adapted to project into apertures 21 in the side portions 16 and I! and thereby limit inward or outward movement of the transverse portions 19 and 20. Each of the transverse connecting portions is provided with slits 29 and 29 adjacent the ends thereof and preferably in line with the longitudinally extending score lines Na and 20a to facilitate collapsing of the device.

The ends of the connecting portions l6 and I1 lo ated at the. sides of the device preferably extend a slight distance beyond the transverse connecting portions 19 and 20 and form abutments against which may rest the rear of the frame, ortions. The abutments thus serve to minimize accidental bending or deformation of the frameportions 4.,

When it. is desiredto collapse the display device from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 5, in which position the frame l liessubstantially against and in substantially the same plane as the panel 2, the connecting portions it and I1. at the sides of the frame will be moved outwardly to release the tabs 25 of the transverse connecting portions 49 and 20 from the apertures 21. When the tabs 25 are released from. the apertures 21 the transverse portions I9 and 20 may move inwardly toward the center of the panel. As a transverse portion moves inwardly toward the center of the-panel it tends to pull together adjacent portions of the frame and panel; movement together of the panel 2 and frame 4 in turn tends to squeeze together the legs of the hinge or connectin portions I6 and I! located at the sides of the device, Asthe connecting portions at the sides fold together, the scored innermost edges 16a and 11a thereof move I inwardly toward the center of the panel. and into the slots 28 and 29 provided at the ends of the transverse portions 19 and 29 (Fig. 4). The material forming the sides of the slots 28 and 29 readily yields or spreads apart to receive a hinge or connecting portion. The transverse portions I9 and 20. at the top and bottom, of the device and the connecting portions [6 and I! at the sides of the device fold inwardly in the same manner. As the frame. 4 and panel 2 continue to move toward each other the opposite legs 0! the hinges or connecting portions continue to move toward each other until they lie against each other and the frame lies substantially against the panel (Fig. 5). It is unnecessary to dismantle or disassemble any parts of the display device in order to collapse itj.

To erect the device from collapsed to display position it is merely necessary to press outwardly against oppositely disposed hinge or connectin portions. -It has been found that pressing outwardly against the oppositely disposed transversely extending portions l9 and 20 works well in actual practice, for it positively snaps the tabs 25 into the apertures 2'1. Upon pressing outwardly oppositely disposed connecting portions, the side portions, l6 and I! move out of the slots 28 and 29 and the tabs 25 slide along the side portions until they snap into the apertures 27 located adjacent the ends of the connecting portions it and IT. The device may thus be easily and quickly erected to display position without the necessity of fitting together, stapling, clipping or otherwise securing various parts.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated a fragmentary view of one corner of a blank from which the preferred embodiment may be formed. Each corner of the device may be similar in construction and operation. The outlines of the blank, apertures 27, tabs 25, and various score lines may all be formed by a suitable press in a single cutting and scoring operation, with a minimum amount of waste material. Thereafter the device may be quickly folded and the overlapping corners 3 and 6 permanently glued or stapled together.

While the device of the preferred embodiment is shown in Figs. 1 to 6 in the form of a rectangle any other suitable shape such as triangular, square, octagonal, etc., may be utilized. For example, in Figs. '7 and 8 there is shown a device in the shape of a hexagon which embodies the invention. In this modification, a center portion or panel 38 is surrounded by a border or frame 40 having overlapping ends 4! and 42 secured together similarly to the preferred embodiment. In this instance each of the substantially V- shaped hinge or connecting portions 39 has a longitudinally extending fold or score line 44 therein and a slit at only one end thereof. The legs located on opposite sides of the slit 45 are provided with tabs, similar to the tabs 25 of the preferred embodiment, adapted to fit into apertures 4? on an adjacent hinge or connecting portion. That is, these tabs of a given connect: ing portion are adapted to fit into an aperture of a preceding connectin portion, and an aperture ll adjacent the opposite end of the same given connecting portion is adapted to receive the tabs of a succeeding connecting portion. Thus each hinge or connecting portion interlocks at its ends with the connecting portions located at each end of it. The hinges or connecting portions form an interlocking chain which extends entirely around the hexagonal shaped display device.

The operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is similar to that of the preferred embodiment; when the tabs are moved out of the apertures ii, the hinge portions may be squeezed together to move the panel and frame toward each other and when the apices of the V-shaped hinge portions are pressed outwardly, the panel and frame are spread apart with respect to each other.

It will be noted in Figs. '7 and 8 that a separate insert member 48 i shown positioned against the panel 38. In certain instances it may be desired to utilize a single display device for advertising different products over a period of time and the provision of separate insert members 48, carrying advertisements of different products, adapted to be positioned in front of the panel 38 of a display device serves this purpose. The separate insert members 4.8 are held securely in -position against the rear panel 38 by the hinge portions 39 which project inwardly a slight distance in front of the insert member 33 adjacent the edges thereof. As pointed out in connection with the preferred embodiment, the distance that the hinge portions 39 project inwardly may be varied during manufacture by changing the width of the sides of the hinges; in this manner a hinge portion may be made to project a sufficient distance inwardly over an insert member to securely hold it in position.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated a modified form of the resent invention having a portion 50 of the panel 5| partially cut out and pressed out of the plane thereof to create a displa having an appearance of depth. The cut-out portion 511 may be of any desired shape and in Figs. 9 and 10 a hand holding a bottle has been chosen as illustrative. While the portion '50 may be cut out of any suitable part of the device, it is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 as formed from material of both the panel and a hinge or connecting por tion 52 at one side of the panel 5|. With this construction the arm 50 may be made to project over the side 53 of a frame or margin. The frame part 53 need not be cut but only the hinge or connecting portion 52 intermediate the frame and panel.

The longitudinally extending'fold or score line on a hinge portion need not be located at the center thereof and in Figs. 9 and 10 the score line 43 is shown located, on the hinge portion 52, closer to the panel than to the margin or frame 53. The aesthetic effect created by a display may thus be varied by placing the hinge score lines at different locations.

There is also illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 how display shelves or steps 55 adapted to support articles of merchandise may be provided adjacent the lower part of the device. The steps or display shelves being formed from the same single sheet of material as the panel 5|, frame '53, and connecting portions 52. Articles of merchandise may be distributed in any suitable arrangement on the steps or shelves to enhance the appearance of a display. Thev shelves 55 may be supported at their undersides by foldable bracing members 55,- forrned from a single piece of material, attached to the undersides thereof and also to the back of the frame part of the display device.

The panel, frame and connecting portions are constructed and operate similarly to the preferred embodiment. Upon collapsing of the device the outstru-ck arm 50 and the shelves 55 at the lower part of the device fold into substantially the same plane as the panel and frame.

-In Figs. 11 and 12 there is illustrated a further feature which may b utilized to create an appearance of depth in any of the display devices previously described. An insert member 59 has hook shaped attaching tabs 6! at the sides thereof and a guiding tab 62 at another side thereof adapted to fit into recesses 64 and 66 provided in the connecting portions 63 and 65 which join a panel 61 with a frame 68. Preferably the recesses 64 and 66 in the connecting portions are located in alignment with the fold lines of the connecting portions. Th hook shaped supporting tabs 6| at one side of the insert member 59 fit into the recesses 64 at the side of a display device and extend over adjacent portions of the connecting portion to support the insert member on the device. The outwardly extending guiding tab 62 at another side of the insert member 59 projects through a recess 66 at another connecting portion. It will be noted that this latter recess 56 is longer than the guiding tab 62. elongated recess 66 facilitates movement of the guiding tab 62 upon collapsing of the device. As the device is collapsed, the connecting portion at the side of the display device moves inwardly into a slit 69 on a transverse connecting member. In-

ward movement of the connecting portion at the.

side of the frame causes corresponding movement of the insert member 59 and the guiding tab 62 moves a corresponding distance inwardly; the

The.

As various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A collapsible display device comprising a center panel, marginal portions extending about the center panel, and inwardly foldable portions connecting the center panel and marginal po-rtions having longitudinally extending score lines at the edges thereof and intermediate the edges thereof adapted to facilitate movement of the foldable portions inwardly, certain of said foldable portions connecting the center panel with the marginal portions having apertures therein and others having tabs adapted to fit into said apertures to maintain the device in display position independently of the marginal portions.

2. A display device comprising a center panel, marginal portions extending about the center panel, and inwardly ioldable portions, scored longitudinally along their middle, connecting the center panel and marginal portions, certain of said foldable portions connecting the center panel and the marginal portions having apertures therein and others having tabs adapted to fit into said apertures to maintain the device in display position and also having recesses aligned with the middle fold lines of adjacent inwardly foldable portions adapted to receive portions of the adjacent inwardly foldable connecting portions when the device is collapsed.

3. A display device comprising a panel, marginal portions extending about said panel, and inwardly foldable portions scored longitudinally along their middle, connecting the panel with said marginal portions, the ends of certain of said foldable portions having apertures therein and projecting beyond other of said foldable portions, and some of said foldable portions having tabs adapted to fit into said recesses to hold said foldable portions expanded outwardly and to maintain the device in display position, when said tabs interlock with apertures and to permit the foldable portions to fold to bring the marginal portions and the panel together into 001- lapsed position when the tabs are removed from the apertures.

4. A display device comprising a panel, mar-' ginal portions extending about said panel, and

inwardly foldable portions connecting the panel with the marginal portions having longitudinally extending fold lines along their middle and along their respective edges and certain of said inwardly foldable portions having slits at said middle fold line adapted to receive the adjacent inwardly foldable portion to facilitate movement toward each other of the marginal portions and the panel.

5. A display device comprising a panel, marginal portions extending about said panel, and inwardly foldable portions connecting the panel with the marginal portions having longitudinally extending fold lines, certain of said inwardly foldable portions having slits in line with the fold lines thereon adapted to receive portions of adjacent inwardly foldable portions upon collapsing of the device.

6. A collapsible display device of the class de-. scribed comprising a panel, marginal portions extending about the panel, and connecting portions joining the panel with the marginal portions, certain of said connecting portions having a slit therein aligned with folds in adjoining portions to facilitate movement of the connectingportions by receiving adjoining folds upon col-' lapsing of the device to compact form.

'7. A collapsible display device of the class described comprising a panel, marginal portions extending about the panel, and connecting portions joining the panel with the marginal portions having longitudinal fold lines, certain of said connecting portions having slits therein at each end thereof aligned with fold lines in adjoining portions adapted to facilitate movement of the connecting portions by receiving adjoining folds upon collapsing of the device to compact form. r

8. A collapsible device of the class described comprising a panel, a plurality of frame sections extending about said panel, adjacent frame sections having adjoining ends, and substantial V- shaped hinge portions scored longitudinally at their middle and respective edges and connecting said panel with said frame sections and interengaging means for connecting the adjoining ends of the frame sections and for holding said V-shaped hinge portions in expanded position to maintain the devices in display position and permitting the closing of the V-shaped hinge portions to collapse the device upon disengagement of the interengaging means.

9. A collapsible device of the class described comprising a panel, a plurality of frame sections extending about said panel, adjacent frame sections having adjoining ends, and substantially V-shaped inwardly projecting hinge portions scored longitudinally at their middle and at their junction with said panel and withsaid frame sections and interengaging means for connecting the adjoining ends of the frame sections and for holding said V-shaped hinge portions in expanded position to maintain the device in display position and permitting the closing of the V-shaped hinge portions to collapse the device upon disengagemerit of the interengaging means.

10. A display device comprising a panel, marginal portions extending about said panel, inwardly foldable portions connecting the panel with the marginal portions ha'ving longitudinally. extending fold lines and slits aligned with'said fold lines adapted to facilitate movement toward each other of the marginal portions and the panel and an insert member mounted on one of said inwardly foldable portions and movable therewith upon erection and collapsing of the display device.

MICHAEL J. VIGLIE'I'I'A. 

